President Starr talks religious freedom with noted author Os Guinness

Baptists have long emphasized the importance of religious freedom, so it makes sense that Baylor President Ken Starr would use his “On Topic” series to host a conversation on the topic with noted First Amendment enthusiast and author Os Guinness.

Guinness has written or edited more than 25 books. His latest, The Global Public Square, presents the case for a necessary freedom of religion for all people that would help individuals, people groups and nations worldwide live in harmony instead of amidst the sectarian violence found in so many pockets of the world today. In last night’s conversation with Judge Starr, Guinness explained to the Waco Hall audience that our nation’s founding values have allowed the United States to be a leader in allowing religious conversation of all sorts in public forums, but that the growing emphasis on a strict separation of church and state is weakening that leadership role.

Guinness is the latest in a series of top scholars brought to Waco each semester for free public conversations. Judge Starr’s “On Topic” series has previously featured such guests as billionaire alternative energy proponent T. Boone Pickens, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, longtime U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and former Senate Majority Leader George Mitchell.

Sic ’em, Baylor guests!

[Also worth noting: On Aug. 27, President Starr delivered the opening sermon at Truett Seminary’s annual convocation, speaking on freedom and lessons from the past. Click here to read his message.]